Insights on Sickness, Pandemic and Religious Coping

Dear Editor:

In the recent editorial, Hwang discussed views from 400 years ago about hallucinations in children with the plague. It is very interesting to learn that while scientific prevention and treatment measures are being implemented in Korea to combat coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), traditional prescriptions and religious opinions are also being recommended [1]. Other culture and religions also share these religious and traditional beliefs. It has been suggested that plagues, sickness, and sin have a connection in some literature. There are some who argue that transcendence is the originator of sickness, while there are those who say it originated from evil [2].

Throughout history, many cultures and religious traditions have associated sickness and sin. When an individual is sick, it is widely believed that he or she suffers from a negative psychological state. In addition, Snowden discusses how diseases influence scientific interpretations, medical science, and public health, as well as how they relate to human behavior, arts, and religion [3]. In most cases, people who suffer from sickness and disease caused by plagues rely on religious coping strategies to cope with their illnesses. As a response to plagues and pandemics, religious expressions and practices have been used. During the COVID-19 pandemic, religious coping mechanisms were used by many people to protect themselves from sickness and mortality.

In the Philippines, “dungaw” had been practiced as a coping response to people from the deadly virulent disease [4]. Dungaw (to look out) is a religious expression where individuals place sacred images outside the window or door of a house. Due to the strain of the pandemic, Filipinos seek comfort in prayer and appeal to the transcendent for mercy and protection from illness and loss of life. Online community prayers and gatherings were used by some to support their neighbors. Even though the pandemic contributed to mental health concerns, popular forms of religious practices have helped many people to overcome adversity as they gain hope and strength.

While empirical and scientific approaches to the prevention and treatment of disease are significant, other aspects of public health that may be considered as well, particularly the use of religious coping. By employing religious coping, it is hoped that many individuals foster a positive psychological states as they continue to navigate the unchartered waters of public health.